Gaara and Sasuke were relaxing on the roof of the Kazekage's mansion. The moon was always very bright in Suna. This roof was the percise spot where Gaara had learned about the truth about his mother and uncle. It held very painful memories, and during a full moon, like tonight, the pain seemed to treble. Earlier that day, the Kazekage had agreed to send reinforcements of the Sand to Konoha's aid. Sasuke and Sakura would have to depart the next morning, so the friends were spending the night catching up.

"I've heard many things about your daughter, Uchiha," said the Kazekage. "She is supposed to be the world's greatest kunoichi...right?"

Sasuke nodded. "Yeah, that's what they say. Her mother and I are proud of her. Very proud."

The two fell into silence. It seemed odd that they should be talking to each other like old chums. It was hard to believe that Gaara and Sasuke had been trying to kill each other at one point. Now, they were the best of friends and the grudge was a fast fading memory.

"I suppose Aya is often under the shadow of your sister...Uchiha Kari. It must be hard on her..."

"It is. I find myself comparing Aya to her aunt. I'm trying not to do so. I can tell it hurts Aya a great deal."

"It is strange, is it not?" commented Gaara, "that those who are powerful or different from others are the ones that suffer the most? It is a fate that all of those with greater aptitude for anything must bear. The Auralen dealt with constant hero worship from her village. She often told me that she hated it." Gaara subconciously brushed a small scar that remained right above his left eye. "She healed this mark for me, just a few days after Naruto and I fought. Kari explained to me then what I was just beginning to understand. About true love, and how your life is meaningless without it." Gaara looked up at the sky. "I am no longer angry at my mother or Yashamaru. Yes, the memories still hurt...but I find no reason to hate them. No reason to continue despising them. Kari also taught me that. And she died for her ideal. I think that's what makes her stronger than anyone else..."

Sasuke absorbed all that the Kazekage had said. It was true. Kari had died for the ones she loved. She died for the sake of others. Her well-being was the last thing on her mind in every battle. It was what made her all the more admirable. "I'm not sure if Aya has learned that lesson yet."

"It will take time. But soon she will learn, especially in this war, that if you are powerful just to be powerful and to make people notice you, then your very existence is pointless. Love will keep you alive and kill you at the same time, but it is far better than living the way I used to. You learned that lesson, did you not, Uchiha?"

"Yes, I learned it the hard way. Those who are strong for themselves are quickly forgotten. Those who are strong for the sake of others fall into the realm of legend. It is a fact."

Gaara nodded. "Aya will learn that one day. And now we must sleep. I am finding it an increasingly wonderful novelty."

With that, the two friends stood and departed for their separate quarters, wishing each other a pleasant slumber.

back in the cave

Aya awoke to find her hands bound by chains above her head. The chains were connected to the cave wall behind her. Normally, restraints would not be a problem for Aya but the drug weakened her considerably and the chains were chakra laced. There would be no escape for awhile.

The boy was facing her, the fire still blazing between them. He had been studying her critically as she slept. The girl had not talked in her sleep this time, probably because it was drug-induced.

Aya's eyes narrowed. "What is the meaning of this?"

The boy continued to stare her down. She looks just like him too...

"Answer me!" A pair of ebony eyes flashed angrily at him. "I don't have time for this..."

"Sure you do, Aya. After all, they sent you to kill me." said the boy matter-of-factly.

Her eyes froze. "What are you talking about? I was sent to kill someone who doesn't look like..." Aya's mouth slowly fell open as she said this.

The boy's appearance began to change right before her eyes. Her face was the most dumbfounded thing that the boy had ever seen. His hair grew lighter and his eyes were darker. "I knew you were coming, Uchiha Aya. I planted the picture that you saw with these disguised looks." The boy's appearance went back to normal. "I began those rumors of some prodigy shinobi in the Snow Country. I hoped you would get the mission. My plan worked. My name is Hiromi...Uchiha Hiromi."

A thousand things fell into place at the same time. Instantly, Aya saw the boy in the dream, the one she had seen in the mirror. He has simply been using a jutsu to change his appearance. Tsunade-sama had done it all the time. One detail remained fuzzy however. "I don't understand...you're an Uchiha? And you're in the Snow Country? But...how...?"

Hiromi sighed. "I am the son of Uchiha Itachi who came to the Snow Country in exile and married my mother, Lei. I am your cousin, Aya."

Aya just stared. Hiromi continued. "I did not receive the Uchiha eyes though I do posses their Sharingan, black eyes are the only traits I do not have from my father. These are Lei's blue eyes. My mother died in childbirth and my father died seven years ago...when you were about ten. I always knew about you. I just couldn't figure out how to meet you. I knew I would not be very welcome in Konoha...not as the son of an S-class criminal." Hiromi's blue eyes saddened. "Regardless of my bloodline, I am a shinobi of the Snow. I must fight against the village of my heritage. And against you. I was sent on a mission by the feudal lord...to kill you...I spoke the truth earlier when I said that."

Aya's dark eyes were puzzled. "You know...about your father, right? About what he was?"

"I know everything about my father. That he was a criminal, that he killed his clan except for his little brother, your father, and his twin sister. I also know that my father and uncle were reconciled by my aunt, Uchiha Kari. Kari and Itachi were Auarlen Twins."

"You do know..."

"Yes, I do. Never once in history did an Auralen have children. My father was unsure if the traits of one were inheritable. It requires direct lineage from an Auarlen, but...," Hiromi's eyes held the crimson Sharingan. He was most certainly an Uchiha. Forming a few seals, Hiromi created a ball of pure light and held it in his hands as he walked to the mouth of the cave. Lifting his hand, he smashed the ball of photons into the ground. There was an explosive burst of sound and a huge crater was left in its wake.

Aya stared. So that was the power of an Auralen...and he wasn't even pure-blood.

"It's no Swan Method, but I was able to master some basic techniques with light. I am only a half-blood. My powers are limited. I receieved most of my training in ice techniques...a bloodline limit I had courtesy of my mother."

Suddenly a huge ice crystal came from the cave floor from beneath the fire. It was instantly extinguished and the cave grew dark. Aya's Sharingan was in high gear at this point and both shinobi could see each other's blood-red eyes. Suddenly, Hiromi's eyes were extinguished and Aya felt the chains grow lose and fall off her wrists. Forming her own phoenix, she rebuilt the fire and the ice melted within seconds. Standing up, she turned to face her cousin, her Sharingan still blazing.

"You're not the only one with power, Hiromi."

Hiromi fixed his gaze on her. "Do you think I plan on carrying out my mission, Aya? I could have killed you while you were unconcious. What makes you think I have any desire to do so? You're my cousin. I don't think you wish to kill me either."

"Really?" Suddenly, Aya vanished in a puff of smoke. Hiromi's eyes grew wide.

"Over here." Hiromi turned to see Aya at the mouth of the cave. "You've been playing with a Kage Bunshin, Hiromi. I've been waiting outside the cave the entire time. You are not the only one with power."

Hiromi continued to look at Aya blankly. "I have a mission to kill you, Hiromi. And I'm going to follow through with it. I am not like Kari. I will kill you. It is my duty to Konoha." Aya formed her phoenix seal and her eyes flashed fire. The phoenix took shape above her head. Hiromi formed his own seals and gathered ice crystals about himself.

All the while, Aya's thoughts began to torture her.

I have to kill him...this is my mission.

He's your cousin! He's Itachi's son. You can't kill him...he didn't kill you!

I have to...or people will always say I made the same mistake Kari did...

Who cares? You want to live the rest of your life with your cousin's blood on your hands?

No! But I don't have a choice...I...

Hiromi eyes held their Sharingan again and he drew back to unleash his attack.

"Too slow!" cried Aya. With a burst of energy, she unleashed her chakra-induced fire attack. Clouds of steam billowed out of the cave as fire and ice collided. Aya's eyes struggled to see through the mist. A scream caught in her throat with what she saw.

A misty looking figure was standing in between Hiromi and Aya, a woman. She was slightly transparent, but Aya instantly recognized too outstanding features. Her ebony hair and obsidian eyes that could only belong to an Uchiha.

Hiromi was as astounded as Aya. "It can't be..." he said.

"It's impossible," whispered Aya.

Standing between the cousins, was none other than Uchiha Kari.